Daily Praise

God tirelessly calls each person to this mysterious encounter with Himself. Prayer unfolds throughout the whole history of salvation as a reciprocal call between God and man. Therefore, "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" St. John Damascene.

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Todays Reflection:

As the Sermon on the Mount continues, we receive a new interpretation of the law apart from the Scribes. That is, they no longer remembered the essence of the law: Mercy, love, and respect. Yet, for Jesus, this essence is essential for a Christian. As such, this aspect of the law will not pass away right down to the smallest intension. Although true, the essence of the law is not easy to grasp because our pride often gets in the way. Pride keeps us from respecting all we meet, especially those we have a hard time dealing with in life. Thus, let us work through God’s Grace towards the virtue of humility. For the truly humble one is the one who will respect and carry out even the smallest letter or even the smallest part of the law, which Jesus upholds. For he has fulfilled the law right down to the Iota, the smallest Greek letter, and the serif, the smallest part of a letter, so that we could be redeemed.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 10, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

In the shadow of the Beatitudes of yesterday, Jesus continues his sermon with another parable that contains salt and light. Here Jesus calls all Christians the salt (or the light) of the world, meaning that all Christians are to “embody the passion and character of the Beatitudes.”[1]  This again occurs in the virtues, especially with the virtue of humility. That is Christians must become truly humble, for “tasteless salt is what Christians become when the ingredient [of] humility is missing.”[2]  The same occurs with light, for pride or any other vice keeps one in the darkness of sin. This is why all Christians, who have embodied the Beatitudes, after the likes of Elijah and the widow in our first reading did, find life. This occurred because they listened to God and humbly trusted him. Therefore, we must become truly humble in order to shine brightly in giving glory to God, so that we “will [not] become flat and dim.”[3]

[1] Norman H. Drummond, True Humility: Finding Power and Joy in This Biblically Mandated Virtue, (Bloomington, In, WestBow Press, 2012), (Chapter 5, Salt and Light)

[2] Ibid, (Chapter 5, Salt and Light).

[3] Ibid, (Chapter 5, Salt and Light).

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 09, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

In our gospel today, we hear the beginning of the Sermon on the  Mount given by Jesus in which he teaches that the narrow path that leads to eternal life is paved with truth. Those who recognize this truth find their way to heaven and eternal happiness, because they embody the virtue of humility found within the Beatitudes. Because if one is truly humble they become "the child of all the beatitudes, poor in spirit, meek of heart, hungering and thirsting after justice.“[1] For the truly humble persons focus in life is nothing else but God, which brings eternal happiness, even if one must suffer within this world. We witness this in our first reading with Elijah, who did not argue with God but, through humility, trusted that God would provide, and through this trust, he found his way to heaven.

[1] Archbishop William Bernard ullathone, OSB, The Groundwork of the Christian Virtues, (Burns and Oates, London, 1882), 107.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 08, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

From the beginning, within scripture, the Son of God, assumed a human nature when the Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary. This allowed Christ now conceived in her womb, to become incarnate in order to gather all believers into the “family of God.”[1] As such, he sent, his disciples and others, out to gather all believers around him and in doing so, Christ established his Church.[2]

As a result, the Church continues Christ’s mission and continues to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. For the mystical Body of Christ continues to defend the faithful from evil by proclaiming the truth of the gospel. This occurs with today’s feast through his sacrifice, now found in the Eucharist, in which Christ gives to us his very body and blood, which occurred upon the cross, as he poured out his love for our many sins.[3] For this reason, the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover. This unique sacrifice of Jesus, found in the liturgy of the Church through the words of institution are made manifest.

“This is my body which will be given to you and this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting Covenant.”[4]

Therefore, when anyone receives the Eucharist they are in fact receiving the very body and blood of Christ and this gives them life as members of his Church.[5]

Moreover, through the Eucharist, a relationship occurs: one party depends on the other for life. Jesus lives because of the Father, and all believers live because of Jesus.[6] In partaking of the Eucharist, a true believer separates themselves from those who just go through the motions. While those who chose an intimate life with God are spiritually alive. For they realize that when they see Christ elevated and when they receive Christ during communion they know within their hearts that they are indeed receiving the very body of Christ. While those who simply pay lip service to God for blessings are spiritually dying, for they no longer recognize Christ in his fullness.[7]

Thus, Christ body comes to us in three different manifestations – in his physical body; born of Mary, in his mystical body; the Church, and through the Eucharist; his sacramental body. Together they are “one and the same Christ” in which one manifestation cannot exist without the other.[8] For the Church and the Eucharist to exist means that Christ had to become incarnate, he had to walk among us. In doing so, he gathered the members of his Church around him; Christ commissioned his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God, establishing the Church. In doing so, Christ through his sacrifice gave his body and blood to the Church in the form of Bread and Wine, so that the many members of his Church through the reception of the Eucharist allow us to transform into Christ’s glory. This is the good news of today feast. For through all this, God through his Son did all the hard work just so we can receive from God, through the Eucharist, his Son, the gift of eternal life.

[1] CCC 542.

[2] CCC 542, 787.

[3] CCC 1365.

[4] Eucharistic Prayer III. (Cf. CCC 1362, 1365).

[5] CCC 1384.

[6] http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/CorpusChristi-a/A-CorpusChristi-a.html

[7] Cf. http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/CorpusChristi-a/A-CorpusChristi-a.html

[8] Brennan, John: Christ, the One Sent, (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1997), 19.

Image: 16th-century Juan de Juanes painting, after Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 07, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

The parable of the Widow's Mite brings with it an important point seen through two ends of a spectrum. The scribes gave, as they wanted, while the widow gave out of her need. Although both are giving something, there is a big difference between a want and a need. That is to say, a want is a choice or desire in which a life will continue if that person or a community does not get what they believe they want. On the other hand, a need is something a person must have to thrive. Without it, that person or even a community would suffer either physically or mentally.1  Yet, we must be careful not to turn a want into a need, which often happens when one is not living a life of discernment. This is the point Jesus makes by paying attention to and examining our motives. What we want and what we really need in life are not the same, and only one leads to true happiness.

1 Cf. Need vs Want,  Lindsay Price, http://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-want-and-need/

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 06, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

Today, Jesus presents a confusing argument that carries a profound point. We all hold a personal image of Christ that may vary from individual to individual. The religious leaders thought the Messiah would be a solemn figure modeled after King David and Solomon. However, they were mistaken, and to prove them wrong, Jesus appeals to David, quoting Psalm 110, “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Here, David recognized someone greater than himself. That is to say, if the Messiah is David’s Lord, then the Messiah could not be a mere human descendant like Solomon, who at best could only be an equal to David. This undercuts the logic of the religious leaders, for they could not explain how the Messiah was someone greater than King David. Therefore, the Messiah had to be someone else, including a humble teacher from the backcountry of Galilee.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 05, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

The scribe who asked Jesus a question was no stranger to the law. What we do not know is why he was asking Jesus this question. Was it an attempt to trick him, or did he really want to know what Jesus thought was the most important commandment? In either case, Jesus answers him by saying that the greatest commandment is to love God, and to love our neighbor is the second. In these two commandments, you really have one perfect commandment with love acting as the connection. Yet there is a trap, because it is easy to let ritual take the place of love. Today, some attend Mass, say prayers, and perform other devotions. All of these are important; we should all do them each day because they help us build a relationship with God. They all give us the grace we need to live our lives with God, but by themselves, they are not enough; they must occur through love so that we grow in our relationship with God.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 04, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

The Sadducees were purists whose focus was only on the written words found in the Torah. Because of this, their belief in God never really has a chance to grow. This is in contrast to our first reading. Here, Paul reminds Timothy that the Church was in a state of change. That is to say, it was growing and becoming more institutionalized in its structure. This process allowed the Apostolic Church to grow and live. This occurred through the guidance of the Holy Spirit beyond a Jewish Christian Church, with Gentile Christians entering at a greater rate. As such, the Christian Church believed in the words of Jesus when he said, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living.” This is today's good news. The Church is alive and continues to grow, which gives us a great responsibility to continue to carry the message of Christ to all we meet.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 03, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

Today’s readings deal with our tension of living both in the world and within the Kingdom of God. This we see in our readings, beginning with our first reading, where Peter reminds us that there may be a delay in the second coming of Christ. However, when it occurs, it will do so quite dramatically. Seeing that this is true, we ought to remain vigilant and not fall to the world. We do this by listening to Jesus, who speaks the truth clearly in our gospel. For he puts things straight, gives to the world what is the world's and to God what is God's. That is to say, we must learn how to live in the world in such a way that we become good witnesses to the Kingdom of God. If accomplished correctly, we will receive a place in the new heaven and the new earth where righteousness dwells for all eternity. For, in every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 02, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

The story of the vineyard tells us something about God, Jesus, and us. First, that God is generous, patient, and just. Next, Jesus humbled himself so that he might be ultimately triumphant for our sake. Lastly, it tells something about ourselves. Because when God seems to be far off, we think that we can act against God and sin and get away with it.  However, God is present. He is with us at all times and knows our actions. For that reason, let us heed the warning of Jesus. If we seek to trade on our own freedom and his patience, we will become the stone rejected. For Jesus, the true cornerstone will pass our salvation on to others. Yet there is hope, because if we place our trust in God, he will see us through to salvation.

Cf. William Barclay, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/mark-12.html

Today’s Spiritual Links for June 01, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

Today, in our liturgy, God comes to us as a trinity. The trinity itself is difficult to define. Yet, in nature, we can find examples that mirror the Trinity, such as a three-leaf clover. However, my favorite description of nature comes from Carolyn Berghuis in her Catholic Lent Devotional. Here she describes the Trinity as three butterflies with iridescent light sparking from their wings, dancing about each other, always spreading perfect bliss.[1]

These examples in nature may describe the trinity well as three persons in one, but not completely. For the Trinity’s very existence transcends not only time, but also is perfect in every way. Although true, the Trinity, though known, remains mysterious, even for the greatest theologian of the Church, Thomas Aquinas. For Aquinas essentially agrees with the IV Lateran Council in 1215. For each person, although distinct, is the same in mind, thought, and exists in a complete unity of one substance with the “Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds.” Therefore, “The divine unity is Triune in nature.”[2]

Although this is true and mysterious, there is a greater mystery present than the Trinity’s existence, for why did this perfect union begin creation, and with creation complete, ‘Why did God reveal to us his very nature?’

In asking these questions, we must begin with faith that the Trinity exists upon mutual respect and love, which God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit share equally. This expression of faith and love is in our gospel today through one of the most recognizable sayings of Jesus.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

This is a wonderful verse, because God, through His Mercy, the Messiah, the Second Person of the Trinity, brought about a new spirituality, through love. This is the reason for God’s creation. For God first loved us despite our sinfulness.[3] For Jesus, who lowered himself, but now lifted for our salvation, did so completely out of Love. As such, He invites all to a loving relationship with Him. Therefore, his Son came not to condemn but to save.[4] This is the good news of the gospel. However, although His loving invitation continues, we must act accordingly by accepting his love. We do this by recognizing our sinful ways, repenting, and uniting ourselves with God, despite all the sinful forces in our world that tend to pull us apart.

Therefore, the relationship we have received through the Trinity’s example of love helps us grow so that we do not condemn our neighbors, but instead invite them into this relationship, for it is only through love that we find room enough to forgive and accept our neighbors.[5] So, on this Sunday, let us recognize the Blessed Trinity, let us place our trust in God, and build our relationships on love, for the effort made is worthwhile, and may even bring peace to our troubled world.

[1] Carolyn Berghuis, Catholic Lent Devotional.

[2] Cf. CCC 253 and 254.

[3] http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/Trinity-a/A-Trinity-a.html

[4] http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/Trinity-a/A-Trinity-a.html

[5] http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/Trinity-a/A-Trinity-a.html

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 29, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

Today gospel is a consequence of yesterday’s gospel when Jesus cleared the temple. Because, by clearing the temple, the Pharisees lost a means of furthering their corruption of the law. Therefore, they demand from Jesus by asking, “By what authority are doing such things?” With this, what is Jesus to do, for Jesus is well aware that his opponents are not interested in the truth of heaven, but their own truth? For, Jesus had given his opponents sufficient proof already of his authority, and they would not listen to him or even receive the truth of heaven and for this, there consequence will be harsh. Although true for the Pharisees, hope remains. For God gives everyone plenty of opportunities in life to receive him. However, we must take the time to listen and then respond appropriately, so that we may receive the truth of heaven and gain eternal life.

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 30, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

A lot is going on in our gospel today with fig trees, overturned tables, and the possibility of mountains going into the sea. All of these seemingly random encounters with Jesus have one thing in common, namely faith. Faith is a gift from God. Yet, for faith to grow, one must use faith; otherwise, one may end up like the withered fig tree. Recall that Saint James said, “Faith without works is dead.”[1] This we see in action with the misused temple, for this activity turned anything offered to God void, and as such, the temple was becoming a useless place without faith. Still, there is hope, for anything is possible if one truly trusts God. When we seek forgiveness, we will receive it. This is a matter of faith. Therefore, it is important to work each day, through one’s faith, for this allows for growth by recognizing and accepting one’s sinfulness, which God makes new each day through his works.

[1] Cf. James 2:20

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 29, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

In our world, those who are blind tend to have better insights than those who can physically see. At least this is true of Bartimaeus, whom we meet in our gospel today. For Bartimaeus knew what we really needed from Jesus rather than what he thought he wanted, because he could have asked for abundant food, money, or some other comfort to make his life easier. Yet, he knew that none of these wants would satisfy or change his life for the better, for he would still have to beg. Therefore, to his credit, he asked Jesus for what he really needed, that is, the ability to see physically, so that he would no longer have to beg and could now take care of himself. For Bartimaeus, the best thing for him to do was to follow Jesus. This is a lesson for us, for eternal hope comes only through Jesus, who gives us what we need, not what we want.

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 28, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

In our gospel today, there is a commonality found in faith, which is the key to growth, which we witness in the disciples of Jesus, especially in James and John. When these two approach Jesus, they did so, on a human level. This naturally results in a human argument of who is the greatest. Therefore, they miss the point; that is until they allow faith to grow within them because they witnessed the divinity Jesus through the transfiguration and his obedience to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus said, not my will, but yours. With this, they came to understand what Jesus meant when he said that the greatest among you is the one who serves. Through this, as their faith grows they too will approach life on a spiritual or divine level as saints. We can learn from these saints today that faith, that is active, helps a person or a community grow more toward God.

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 27, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

From the beginning of time, we all have a natural need to achieve to be the greatest, but this natural need will not save. For eternal life depends solely on the goodness of God who offers eternal life as a gift that comes to us through his grace.[1] This is a wonderful gift given to us by God. Yet, this is not enough. For we must do something with God's grace in order to grow in faith toward God. This is the ultimate achievement but we must work at it using his grace. So that we do indeed warrant a heavenly award; that in  the end will  save. So, let us use God's grace. Because, it is the only  way God can help us achieve and gain a heavenly award.

[1] Source, the New American Bible at http://usccb.org/bible/mark/10:28

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 26, 2026

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Todays Reflection:

Mother of the Church honors Mary in a new way, and ought not to be confused with the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1, for that feast conferrers that Mary is the Mother of God, where today we celebrate Mary being the Mother of the Church. This means that in a unique and special way Mary, as the mother of Jesus is also our mother, for we form the body of the Church as Christ's mystical body. Therefore, Mary as our Mother has become our intercessor with her Son for we are always under her shadow and protection as any mother would safeguard her children from all harm; that is if we allow her to do so as she does for the Church.

Today’s Spiritual Links for May 25, 2026

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